Puri, Odisha — July 6, (OT Webdesk): In a breathtaking display of devotion and opulence, the Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—graced the Rath Yatra chariots in resplendent golden attire, marking the sacred occasion of Suna Besha.
Celebrated on Bahuda Ekadashi, the ritual drew over 15 lakh devotees to Puri’s Bada Danda, transforming the holy city into a sea of spiritual ecstasy.
Known as Bada Tadhau Besha, this ritual is one of the five annual Suna Beshas but is uniquely accessible to all, unfolding atop the chariots stationed near the Singhadwar, unlike temple-based adornments restricted to select audiences.
The day began with meticulously timed rituals including Mangala Alati, Tadap Lagi, and Sarbanga, culminating in the glittering darshan at 4:44 PM, when the deities appeared decked in elaborate gold ornaments sourced from the Ratna Bhandar.
The tradition, with origins tracing back to King Indradyumna, was institutionalised in 1460 CE by Gajapati Kapilendra Deb, who famously dedicated 16 elephants’ worth of gold and jewels after conquests in southern India. This gesture catalysed the shift of Suna Besha from temple interiors to public chariot platforms, making it a celebration of divine inclusivity.
Each deity was adorned with distinct ornaments:
- Lord Jagannath: Kirita, Kana Phula, Swarna Chakra, Raupya Shankha, and Bahada Mali
- Lord Balabhadra: Hala-Mushala, Trikhandika, Chandrika
- Devi Subhadra: Kadamba Mali, Tagadi, Kana, Kirita
This year’s ceremony reaffirmed Lord Jagannath’s revered status as Odisha’s cultural icon and spiritual monarch. The sight of radiant divinity, devotion in motion, and history reborn left an indelible imprint on every heart present.
